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The DBA (Defense Base Act) is known as an extension to what is known as the “federal workers” compensation program that covers harbor and longshoremen workers.

The Definition Of The DBA (Defense Base Act)

The DBA or Defense Base Act is used to cover individuals employed at the U.S “defense-bases” overseas. This DBA has been created to offer compensation and medical treatment to the employees of the defense contractors that have been injured during the course of their employment. There are many defense base act lawyers who specialize in helping those individuals receive compensation.

Who Does The Defense Base Act Cover?

Typically this act covers workers that are employed by the American contractors that perform public work associated with the U.S government situated in the U.S territories such as U.S military-bases that are outside of the continental U.S along with support for military-aid programs that have are associated with allied nations. In addition, individuals who have been employed overseas with morale or welfare projects like the ARC (American Red Cross), the Salvation Army and the U.S.O are typically covered.

Technical Filings And Requirements

The first technical requirement associated with this Act will be to report injuries immediately to the immediate supervisor. The notice associated with such injuries must also be supplied in writing by using what is known as an LS 201 form. Once this requirement is completed, medical treatments will typically be offered. The employee has a responsibility that involves completing a claim form known as an LS 203 and sending it to the Office Of Workers Compensation Programs. This form must be sent within twelve months within the injury date.

Payment Of Compensation

There will be a 3-day waiting period under what is known as the LHWCA. After this, if the injury is considered serious and the worker is unable to return to work, the insurer or employer is required to pay a compensation payment to this injured worker. The compensation amount is typically calculated by using the employees’ wages from a year before the injury and then dividing this amount by 52. This amount is known as the AWW (average weekly wage). If this employee has worked throughout this period, the calculation is simple. If the employee has not worked for the year, alternate methods are then used to determine the AWW.

Once the AWW is established, the figure is then multiplied by 2 thirds and this will be the known as the CR (compensation rate) and the amount of cash this injured individual will receive every week that she or he is disabled.

The DBA insurers pay every 14 days. Once a compensation rate has been reached for a “total disability”, there will be no changes and no increases will be seen for inflation or costs of living. These benefits are typically paid until such time that the injured individual is able to return to his or her job. This means that when the worker has recovered fully and has been told by a doctor that they are able to return to the workplace, the “total disability” benefit comes to an end. For more detailed information on the defense base act and what exactly it covers, check out Matthew Singer’s website